Get Out and Stay Out!

I was recently asked how I find topics to write about week after week. From everywhere really. Since beginning to write for TLT, I now see the world through much different eyes. I believe because I write about Trust and Letting go on a weekly basis, and have conversations with others about it on a daily basis, I’ve started to see Life through a lens of Trust, of Life, and of Trust Life together. I find myself constantly applying the idea of Trust to just about anything. So, when I was discussing Jillian Michaels‘ workouts with a friend recently, I hesitated when he suggested that I blog about her. Jillian Michaels? Exercise DVDs?

Because I‘m just getting to know this new friend (oh no, are you reading this Tony?), I kept my straight face on and said, “Yeah, I’ll think about it.” When I was really thinking, “What does Jillian Michaels have to do with what I write about?”

And then I saw it — the nice box I had created for myself.

Why wouldn’t I want to share about someone I find encouraging? Inspiring? Isn’t that what I strive to do with this blog each and every week? I say it all the time: encourage and inspire others through sharing, learning, and growing together.

So here’s me sharing, so those of you who are interested will learn, and hopefully grow smaller in inches (if that’s your goal), larger in muscle (if that’s your goal), and I will break out of my box in doing so.

For me, Jillian Michaels is the right type of motivator. She has a nice balance of masculine and feminine in her personality, which I completely dig. I don’t find her voice annoying or nagging — quite the opposite, as I listen to her, I actually find myself wanting to work harder.

I’ve never seen her on TV, only on her DVDs and I caught the tail end of a radio interview with her, but even with that limited exposure, I can see many different aspects to her personality: tough and funny, spiritual and grounded.

The following are direct quotes from her.

Here’s some grounded:

Part of abandoning the all-or-nothing mentality is allowing yourself room for setbacks. We are bound to have lapses on the road to health and wellness, but it is critical that we learn how to handle small failures positively so that we can minimize their long-term destructive effects. One setback is one setback—it is not the end of the world, nor is it the end of your journey toward a better you.

And some motivational:

As u envision the changes in ur future u have to let go of the mistakes in ur past. Learn from them then let em go! Transformation is not 5 min from now, it’s a present activity. In this moment u CAN make a different choice & it’s these small choices & successes that build up over time to help cultivate a healthy self image & self esteem. What are u gonna do differently today to live happier & healthier? (Facebook 4/06/11)

And some spiritual:

“Be brave and be patient. Have faith in yourself; trust in the significance of your life and the purpose of your passion. You are strong enough to sit in the space between spaces and allow divine inspiration to shed some light. When you put positive energy and productive effort into the world it will come back to you. Occasionally in ways you might not immediately understand and on a time frame you didn’t expect. Look. Listen. Learn. Stay open. Your destiny is awaiting you.

Oh, and at the end of one of her workouts, when I feel as if I’m about to give up, I get a little extra pep in my step when I hear her yell, “And here’s where the bad ass in you comes out!” Yeah, I like that one too.

I’ll leave you with a list of my favorite Jillian DVDs, in this order:

1. 6 Week Six-Pack

2. 30 Day Shred (this is where I suggest you start, but read the reviews on Amazon and decide)

Follow Me

Get The Book

About

I understand that for many, Trust does not come easy. It falls into the black-hole called "Easier-Said-Than-Done." And here is why: Because as children, most of us learned the exact opposite of how trust works.
Continue reading >>